Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

1 hour ago

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

2 hours ago

Families Leave Gaza City After Night of Bombardment, Israelis Protest

4 hours ago

California Farming Couple Seeks $300 Million for Aspen Estate

5 hours ago

Trump Administration Cannot Sue Maryland Federal Judges Over Immigration Order, Judge Rules

6 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

22 hours ago

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

1 day ago

Fresno County DUI Crash Sends Car Into Embankment Near Highway 99

1 day ago
Oregon Set to Become 1st State With Mandatory Rent Controls
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 7 years ago on
February 21, 2019

Share

SALEM, Ore. — Faced with a housing shortage and skyrocketing rents, Oregon is poised to become the first state to impose mandatory rent controls, with a measure establishing tenant protections moving swiftly through the Legislature.

“We’ve waited too long as it is, and there are too many people living in tents. It is an emergency.” — Rep. Tawna Sanchez, a Portland Democrat
Many residents have testified in favor of the legislation, describing anxiety and hardship as they face higher rents. Some have gone up by as much as almost 100 percent — forcing people to move, stay with friends or even live in their vehicles.
The town of Medford recently authorized churches to offer car camping for the homeless on their parking lots. Cities across the West Coast are struggling with soaring housing prices and a growing homelessness problem.
A House committee on Wednesday backed the measure, sending it to the full chamber for a vote as soon as next week. The Senate passed it last week.
“I look forward to signing the bill,” Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, told reporters.
The committee rejected an amendment that would have exempted cities with populations under 150,000 and another that would have delayed the measure from becoming law until Jan. 1, 2020, instead of immediately after Brown signs it.
“We’ve waited too long as it is, and there are too many people living in tents. It is an emergency,” said Rep. Tawna Sanchez, a Portland Democrat and member of the House Committee on Human Services and Housing that endorsed the legislation.

Rent Control Restricted in California

Oregon’s housing shortage is getting worse as people keep moving to the state, lured by its forests, mountains, coastline, relaxed lifestyle and job opportunities. Oregon ranked second to Vermont as the top moving destination in 2018, according to a study by United Van Lines, the largest U.S. household goods mover.

“Homelessness and affordability have no boundaries. We’re going to be leading the nation now with this legislation.” — Rep. Mark Meek, a Democrat from a Portland suburb
Lawmakers noted Oregon will be a pioneer in statewide rent control if the measure becomes law. New York has a statewide rent control law but cities can choose whether to participate.
California restricts the ability of cities to impose rent control. Last November, voters defeated a ballot initiative that would have overturned that law.
“Homelessness and affordability have no boundaries,” said Rep. Mark Meek, a Democrat from a Portland suburb. “We’re going to be leading the nation now with this legislation.”
Oregon’s measure prohibits landlords from terminating month-to-month leases without cause after 12 months of occupancy and limits rent hikes to once per year. Those increases are limited to 7 percent above the annual change in the consumer price index.
Landlords can terminate tenancies only with 90 days’ written notice and payment of one month’s rent, with exemptions in some cases. A landlord can refuse to renew a fixed-term lease if the tenant receives three lease violation warnings within 12 months and the landlord gives 90 days’ notice.
The Oregon Rental Housing Association representing small-scale landlords said the measure protects good tenants while not encouraging landlords to leave the business and invest their money elsewhere.
“I believe most landlords will be able to adapt and operate within the parameters,” said Jim Straub, the group’s legislative director.

Tenant Says Rent Has Increased 66%

Eric Lint, who lives in the popular mountain town of Bend, urged lawmakers to pass the protections because of skyrocketing rents. The medical lab where he works is chronically understaffed because potential hires say there is a lack of affordable housing.
Lint said his hourly pay has risen 8 percent over five years. Meanwhile, his rent has increased 66 percent. He plans to move away in the fall but did not say where in his testimony.
Anna Pena, a senior at the University of Oregon in Eugene who works full time, described living in a house smaller than 1,200 square feet (111 square meters) with five roommates and spending over half her income on rent that then increased by 15 percent.
“Ultimately, housing insecurity has been one of the biggest setbacks for my education and personal health,” she said.
Sen. Tim Knopp, a Republican from Bend, said before he voted against the measure last week that it does not address the housing supply issue.
Another measure aiming to deal with that issue would require cities and counties to allow duplexes and some higher-density housing in lands zoned for single-family homes.
House Speaker Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said 30,000 housing units must be built per year to meet the state’s current housing deficit and to build for the future as more people move to Oregon.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

DON'T MISS

Madera County Authorities Arrest Army Sergeant in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

DON'T MISS

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

DON'T MISS

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

DON'T MISS

Fresno Restaurateur Bobby Salazar Charged by Feds With Arson

DON'T MISS

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

DON'T MISS

US to Seek Death Penalty in Washington D.C. Homicide Cases, Trump Says

DON'T MISS

ICE Is Suddenly Showing Up in CA Hospitals. Workers Want More Guidance on What to Do

DON'T MISS

Coarsegold Elementary Briefly Locked Down After Student Brings Starter Pistol

DON'T MISS

HHS Asks 46 States and Territories to Remove ‘Gender Ideology’ Content From Sex Ed Materials

UP NEXT

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

UP NEXT

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

UP NEXT

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

UP NEXT

US to Seek Death Penalty in Washington D.C. Homicide Cases, Trump Says

UP NEXT

Coarsegold Elementary Briefly Locked Down After Student Brings Starter Pistol

UP NEXT

HHS Asks 46 States and Territories to Remove ‘Gender Ideology’ Content From Sex Ed Materials

UP NEXT

Trump Urges Cracker Barrel to Revert to Old Logo

UP NEXT

California Farming Couple Seeks $300 Million for Aspen Estate

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Cannot Sue Maryland Federal Judges Over Immigration Order, Judge Rules

UP NEXT

US Threatens to Withhold Funding From States Over Truck Driver English Proficiency Rules

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

1 hour ago

Fresno Restaurateur Bobby Salazar Charged by Feds With Arson

2 hours ago

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

2 hours ago

US to Seek Death Penalty in Washington D.C. Homicide Cases, Trump Says

3 hours ago

ICE Is Suddenly Showing Up in CA Hospitals. Workers Want More Guidance on What to Do

3 hours ago

Coarsegold Elementary Briefly Locked Down After Student Brings Starter Pistol

3 hours ago

HHS Asks 46 States and Territories to Remove ‘Gender Ideology’ Content From Sex Ed Materials

3 hours ago

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce Announce Engagement

3 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Enrique Arellano Ochoa

4 hours ago

Wilted Lettuce. Rotten Strawberries. Here’s What Happens When You Round Up Farmworkers.

4 hours ago

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

A Republican congressional hopeful in Texas has drawn condemnation after posting a campaign video in which she burns the Quran with a flamet...

45 seconds ago

Texas congressional candidate Valentina Gomez posted a campaign video burning the Quran with a flamethrower while vowing to “end Islam,” sparking swift condemnation. (Video Screenshot)
45 seconds ago

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

A U.S. Army sergeant was arrested on Saturday, August 23, 2025, on felony charges of possessing child sexual abuse material following a months-long investigation aided by federal and military authorities. (Madera County SO)
12 minutes ago

Madera County Authorities Arrest Army Sergeant in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

A drone view of a California High-Speed Rail Bridge as it crosses over the Fresno River in Madera, California, U.S. June 7, 2025. (Reuters File)
28 minutes ago

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

Katie Porter speaking at the CADEM Endorsing Convention General Session Senate Candidate Interviews Saturday afternoon.
1 hour ago

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

bobby salazar
2 hours ago

Fresno Restaurateur Bobby Salazar Charged by Feds With Arson

Members of the National Guard walk at the National Mall after U.S. President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops and ordered an increased presence of federal law enforcement to assist in crime prevention, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 21, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

President Donald Trump holds a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 26, 2025. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

US to Seek Death Penalty in Washington D.C. Homicide Cases, Trump Says

A view of a sign for the Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital.
3 hours ago

ICE Is Suddenly Showing Up in CA Hospitals. Workers Want More Guidance on What to Do

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend